Clayton Kershaw Defends Bible Verse on Pride Cap: 'The Rainbow Represents God's Covenant'
A Los Angeles Dodgers legend is defending three San Francisco Giants players who sparked controversy in the Bay Area earlier this year after displaying Bible verses on their LGBT Pride Night caps.
Former Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw made the comments last week during an interview with Fox News, explaining that writing “Genesis 9:12-16” on a cap is simply meant to point viewers to the biblical account of God’s covenant with humanity and what the rainbow represents to him as a follower of Jesus – and not to demean anyone.
Earlier this year, three Giants players wrote that well-known passage on their Pride Night caps, drawing criticism from local fans and media outlets – a controversy that is still reverberating in the liberal city. Kershaw had done the same during the Dodgers’ Pride Night in 2025, although his gesture received far less attention because he did not appear in that night’s game. He retired following the 2025 season.
“It wasn't meant to discriminate or marginalize anybody,” Kershaw told Fox News’ Lara Trump. “The rainbow means a lot of different things to a lot of different people, and so for me, what the rainbow represents is God’s covenant with His people, and so that's what I wanted to represent as a man of faith, as a man that believes in Jesus.
“That's what the rainbow represents to me, and I thought that was the best way to do that in a somewhat of a difficult situation. And once again, it wasn't meant to discriminate or put anybody in a bad spot. It was just what I believed in, and like you said, it wasn't an easy decision. But I still stand by it. I think it was the right thing to do.”
Kershaw is one of the most outspoken Christians in sports. He also discussed Kershaw's Challenge, the nonprofit he and his wife, Ellen, founded to serve vulnerable children and families in the United States and around the world.
“I think that’s why God gave me the gift to throw a baseball was to use it to help other people,” he said.
Photo Credit: ©Getty Images/Katelyn Mulcahy/Stringer
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
Listen to Michael's Podcast! He is the host of Crosswalk Talk, a podcast where he talks with Christian movie stars, musicians, directors, and more. Hear how famous Christian figures keep their faith a priority in Hollywood and discover the best Christian movies, books, television, and other entertainment. You can find Crosswalk Talk on LifeAudio.com, or subscribe on Apple or Spotify so you never miss an interview that will be sure to encourage your faith.
Originally published July 28, 2026.
